Rejected by the Alpha, Desired by the Dragon King

, curling into the air like golden serpents. They didn't scorch her-didn'

them in

st aro

buzzed. Her wolf paced inside her restless

ning to me?"

, his eyes locked on h

demanded, her v

uth of who

top speaking in riddles. I'm not one

wolves. But your bloodline is older

shaking her head. "

, gesturing toward the blazing ring that

n't answer

ning mark pulsed again, l

ife thinking you were weak. Powerless. But t

lump in her throat. "Kael reje

ser. "He rejected you because h

er wanted to believe him. The other

she said. "But I didn't come here to b

anything you're not already. The fire w

ng to their crackle. For the first time, t

iv

reath and st

parted

nothing, o

ne warm beneath her bare feet. The wind shifted, and with it came

the platform above: "The

d sharply. "

rged skyward-taller, wilder. Then they co

-

see again, the w

e. The sky was black, cracked with lightning. And before her rose a mas

told her this wasn'

f the mind. A tr

ened with a

s beyond, a shap

road. F

a

na f

n't him. N

covered in shifting shadows, like smoke clin

iss me, li

lenched, but she

e not

lives in your head. The one who reminds yo

nched h

nger now,

shadow-Kael sneered.

n't need you. Not your approval.

cha

didn't

r chest burned-and fire

ed him, his form writhing before van

to her kne

hind her sl

-

gasp, drenched in sweat. The fl

beside her,

d," he sai

stand, but her

that?" s

m nearby. "The Trial shows each candidate wh

ouched h

ed-now glowing bri

well," Th

el like it,"

nd didn't run," he sai

"How many people have p

answer r

aid at last.

-

Selena cou

tching the crimson moon dip behind black peaks. The stars here w

days, she had gone from an outcast t

wn quiet, blending with something new i

't s

ce came from

black tunic and loose pants. His wings folded be

my mind," s

moment as they both looked

people the Flame could choose... why a

"You're not broken, S

et hi

no pity in

y f

me," she

pa

e once... som

ime, Selena saw something beneath t

eli

a

gr

they?" s

dn't

nd whisper

len

artled. "Did y

s eyes

e air g

pt over the edge

ped back in

it?" sh

in front of her

oub